News Archive

BSCTC to host Earth Day celebration April 22

Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) will host an Earth Day celebration
at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 22 on its Prestonsburg campus.

Tammy Ball, LCSW, professor of human services and a member of the college’s community
garden, said the event will feature workshops and demonstrations for all ages.

“This is a time to celebrate what the earth means to us,” she said. “It is important
that we work to utilize the earth and maintain an attitude of sustainability to leave
the earth better than we inhabited it.”

The event will feature information and demonstrations on battery recycling, garden
demonstrations, sustainability information, tours of the community garden and other
activities for the whole family.

The college’s community garden opened in 2012 and has provided fresh vegetables to
the Fishes and Loaves Food pantry at the St. James Episcopal Church during the growing
season. Each year, the college harvests about 2,000 pounds of produce.

“It’s a fitting way for us to give back to the communities that embrace our college,”
said Ball, who is also a master gardener. “We have many partners that help us each
year, and we are grateful that we have been able to continue to do this important
work.”

A greenhouse was constructed at the community garden last year, thanks to the work
of the college’s carpentry program and a grant from Grow Appalachia.

Ball said she hopes that visitors will see the community garden and want to volunteer
or create a garden in their own community.

“There’s something about growing your own food,” she said. “It’s healthy not only
for your body, but also your mind and soul.”

For more information on the Earth Day event, contact Ball at (606) 889-4787 or email
tammy.ball@kctcs.edu.